The last week of the college football regular season is here, and there’s a phenomenal slate of games this week. Among the incredible schedule are five particular Group of Five contests that stand, including a few that are among the best Group of Five games all season.
For fans of the Group of Five level, it’s hard to ask for much more than what we’re going to see this week. This week’s guide of must-watch games features five matchups that all take place at different times. It’s a viewer’s dream!
As a reminder, I use college football betting odds to help guide my decisions on the best games of the week.
5. SMU-Memphis, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
The stakes are minimal in this game with each team being 6-5 overall, but the total is 72.5 points and SMU is a 4.5-point favorite. The betting odds suggest fans are in for a high-scoring and competitive matchup, and I can see the appeal of watching this game. This feels like a perfect game to watch for those who enjoy watching multiple games on multiple screens each Saturday. While these two teams aren’t necessarily deserving of your largest screen, fire this game up on your laptop or tablet and enjoy the offensive fireworks.
4. Air Force at San Diego State, Saturday, 9 p.m.
Two of the best teams in the Mountain West face off Saturday night in what figures to be a competitive, defensive-focused battle. Each of the teams rank in the top three in the Mountain West in scoring defense, and both teams like to move the football on the ground. Air Force (8-3, 4-3 MWC) leads the league with 336.4 rushing yards per game, while San Diego State (7-4, 5-2 MWC) is second in the conference in rushing defense, allowing just 115.9 yards per game. Oddsmakers expect a close one, with Air Force a 1.5-point favorite.
3. Coastal Carolina at JMU, Saturday, noon
JMU (7-3, 5-2 SBC) isn’t eligible for the postseason due to FBS transition rules, but the winner of this game will finish atop the Sun Belt East. While the Dukes can’t play in the Sun Belt title game – Coastal Carolina has already clinched its spot – they’re treating this like a game to win the division. Coastal Carolina (9-1, 6-1 SBC) is a two-touchdown underdog without quarterback Grayson McCall, and the Chanticleers will need an upset to keep their New Year’s Six hopes alive. Can the Chanticleers make it three consecutive 10-win seasons?
2. Bowling Green at Ohio, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
If Ohio (8-3, 6-1 MAC) wins, the Bobcats win the MAC East. If Bowling Green (6-5, 5-2 MAC) wins and Buffalo loses to Kent State, the Falcons win the MAC East. How’s that for stakes? This is one of the most important MAC games of the season, and it’s on a Tuesday night. Sounds like the perfect midweek game to throw on the TV while hanging out with family this holiday season. Ohio is a 6.5-point favorite.
1. Tulane at Cincinnati, Friday, noon
Man, this game is so good. Each team is in the thick of the AAC title race and the chase for the Group of Five’s New Year’s six bowl. It’s arguably the game of the year at the Group of Five level, and it takes place before Saturday’s busy slate. Hard to ask for anything more from a schedule perspective. Oddsmakers give Cincinnati (9-2, 6-1 AAC) a 2.5-point edge, but Tulane (9-2, 6-1 AAC) is a perfect 4-0 on the road with wins over Kansas State and Houston.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
